Woman fights off suspect trying to steal company van at Casey’s General Store: deputies

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Machensey Park Deputies arrested Malachi Bonavia, 47, for allegedly trying to steal a van while it was parked at a Casey’s General Store.

On July 28, around 11:38 a.m., officers were called to the Casey’s on Forest Hills Road for reports of a vehicular hijacking. Authorities took Bonavia into custody when they found her in the middle of the intersection of Forest Hills and West Lane Roads.

The victim told officials the suspect was sitting in the passenger side seat when she came back from getting a drink in the store.

The woman told Bonavia to get out of the van multiple times, but she refused, according to court records.

When the victim went to call the police, Bonavia slid over to the driver’s seat and locked the door, court documents show.

The victim told authorities that she was able to get Bonavia out of the car by opening the sliding door of the van.

She and the suspect fought each other, which resulted in Bonavia chasing the woman around the parking lot.

Security footage corroborated the victim’s account of the situation.

Bonavia told deputies she is a vessel of god and that she needed the van to go to a mechanic shop where her car was being repaired.

She is charged with aggravated battery in a public place, vehicular hijacking and criminal trespassing to a vehicle.

A mugshot was not readily available at this time.